Hoyer Statement on July Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the Department of Labor released their jobs report for July:

“It’s encouraging that the private sector added 71,000 jobs last month—the seventh month in a row in which private sector employment grew. That fact shows that our economy is making progress. Nevertheless, total employment fell this month, due largely to the end of temporary Census jobs. As long as millions of Americans remain out of work, we clearly have more work to do.

“That’s why the House is returning to session next week to prevent the layoffs of some 290,000 teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, and private sector workers, along with the economic slowdown that would result with so many more Americans made jobless. While Republicans deride teachers, police officers, and firefighters as ‘special interests,’ Democrats understand that saving some 290,000 jobs is both the right and the smart thing to do for our economy.

“We will also continue to contribute to our recovery with the Make it in America agenda, a plan to rebuild American manufacturing and the secure, middle-class jobs it creates. In fact, there is already significant manufacturing progress to build on: this month, our manufacturing sector added 36,000 more jobs, bringing the total manufacturing gain to 183,000 jobs added since December of last year. Congress has already sent two Make it in America bills to the president’s desk, and looks forward to continuing that work in September.”